Do not have the luxury to watch this series. Did Ben guard Shaq one on one?

As I have stated before, I would rather have this 2 teams beat each other out for 7 games before we face any of them. But I would still prefer the Stones play the Heat than the Bulls. The Bulls are scary.

Ben was doing a nice job on Shaq one-on-one to keep him away from the hoop. But inevitably Shaq would start backing in and the Bulls were forced to throw some double teams at him... which worked well because Shaq would then pass it out to Walker, Williams, and the wounded Wade.

Ben provided enough resistance that Shaq appeared to be wearing out late in the game. Once Shaq broke through Ben, he actually missed quite a few point blank shots... aparantly due to fatigue. Ben took one of Shaq's patented elbows to the face and got the call, which was enough to keep him from going to that move again.

The surprising thing about Ben was that he had 4 baskets that weren't all easy. He showed some creativity around the rim.

Both Chic and Miami are crappy road teams. Miami 17-24 and Chic 18-23. Its going to be a different series in Miami. The Bulls have not shown the mental toughness to put anything away on the road so I would guess that Miami will win both games and tie it up at 2-2. Its going 7.

I disagree. Going 1-on-1 against those defenders and Skiles's rotations would just lead to bad shots and turnovers, which fuel the Bulls fastbreak. The weak point in their defense is Ben Wallace's weak man defense and PJ Brown's lack of mobility – slow the game to a crawl and ram a steady diet of postups and pick-and-rolls down their throat until they're forced to go zone and then open up the perimeter game.

And God help the Pistons' halfcourt defense. Maybe Lindsey can loan Chauncey and Tayshaun some diet pills…

Click to expand...

We are talking about the Pistons here remember!!

Postups? Yeah right. Who is going to provide a steady diet of postups? And, the pick and rolls would result in Sheed shooting 3`s which is a huge part of the perimeter game.

If we are depending on Webber posting up and Sheed`s 3`s, we will be swept!!!!

Click to expand...

A possibility.

Those are the weakest areas of Chicago's defense. If we are depending on Billups and Hamilton isolation scores and Tayshaun Prince learning how to pass, we will certainly lose this series. Webb and Sheed just give us a small chance to avoid losing.

The defending champions aren't dead, but it certainly seems like a fine time to gather their next of kin.

Who can save the Miami Heat from the perils of their 0-2, opening-round playoff predicament with the Chicago Bulls? Let's go with Shaquille O'Neal, the guy who always seems to be saving himself for moments like these. When a few extra pounds suggest a rigorous off-season training commitment, Shaq has a better idea. When an injury that requires surgery can be accomplished during the summer, O'Neal would prefer that the team's best interests be assuaged during the team's time; why bother with training camp when the regular season can be used for recovery or reaching a suitable fitness level?

So, now that he's become proficient at saving himself for the playoffs, it's time for Shaq to drag his teammates and coach out of the first-round fire.